Short answer: yes, and sooner than most people do it. Not because anyone did anything wrong, but because nobody can tell you how many working keys exist for a house that has changed hands several times.
Where all those keys came from
Every previous owner cut spares. Some went to family, some to neighbours, some to contractors who never returned them. Meanwhile a real estate lockbox key may have circulated among dozens of agents during the sale. Consequently the number grows quietly across decades. Therefore rekeying is not paranoia. It simply closes a list nobody has.
The lockbox is the one people forget
During listing, the key sat in a box that any registered agent could open. Consequently the number of people who handled it is genuinely unknowable.
Which doors actually matter
Front, back and any side entrance come first. Additionally the garage service door matters, because attached garages usually connect straight into the house. By contrast, interior privacy locks need nothing. Furthermore a detached shed can wait unless it holds tools worth taking. Consequently most homes need three or four cylinders rather than a whole-house overhaul.
Timing it around the move
Possession day is ideal, before furniture arrives and while every door is accessible. Consequently morning slots suit moves best. Additionally, telling us the door count on the phone means the quote is accurate rather than approximate. Therefore one short visit handles it.
While the technician is there
Ask about keying everything alike, because combining the work costs less than a return visit. Similarly, ask whether the strike plates have long screws, since that is the cheapest security upgrade available. Above all, ask honestly whether any lock is worth replacing rather than rekeying. A good answer sometimes costs us the sale.
Questions we get about this
Should I rekey or replace when I move in?
Rekey, unless the hardware is worn. Consequently you keep sound locks and change the keys.
When is the best time?
Possession day, before the furniture arrives.
Does the garage need doing?
The service door does, because attached garages connect into the house.
What about the lockbox key?
That is exactly why people rekey. Many agents may have handled it.
How long does it take?
Usually under an hour for a typical house.
